Boxer Terry Washington, 14 from San Bernardino, takes his one minute break in between sparring rounds as his coach and Project Fighting Chance CEO Ian Franklin looks on Thursday in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

SAN BERNARDINO – Sparring inside a sweltering Union Street boxing gym built with and powered by sweat equity is one television producer’s idea of the American spirit.

Meet the boys and girls of Project Fighting Chance.

Boxer Terry Washington (right), 14 from San Bernardino, throws a right towards sparring partner Paolo Barredo, 11, Thursday at Project Fighting Chance in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A young boxer gets his gloves laced up prior to a sparring match at Project Fighting Chance in San Bernardino Thursday July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

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Project Fighting Chance CEO and trainer Ian Franklin stands behind one of his up and coming young boxers Terry Washington, 14, at his gym in San Bernardino Thursday July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Recent Junior Olympics boxing silver medalist Ruffin Harris, 11, works on the speed bag Thursday at Project Fighting Chance in San Bernardino Thursday, July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Young boxer and recent Junior Olympics silver medalist Isiah Harris, 12, watches as a pair of boxers spar at Project Fighting Chance in San Bernardino Thursday July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Boxer Terry Washington, 14 from San Bernardino, takes his one minute break in between sparring rounds as his coach and Project Fighting Chance CEO Ian Franklin looks on Thursday in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Boxer Terry Washington, 14 from San Bernardino, throws a left towards sparring partner Paolo Barredo, 11, Thursday at Project Fighting Chance in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Young boxer Terry Washington, 14, speaks with his mother Precious Swan at the Project Fighting Chances gym in San Bernardino Thursday, July 12, 2018 in San Bernardino. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Project Fighting Chance boxers Ruffin Harris, 11, and Terry Washington, 14, warm up in the ring Thursday in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Boxer Terry Washington (left), 14 from San Bernardino, throws a left towards sparring partner Paolo Barredo, 11, Thursday in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Sets of boxing gloves sit in a cabinet Thursday at Project Fighting Chance in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Recent Junior Olympics silver medalist Ruffin Harris, 11, watches a pair of boxers spar in the ring at Project Fighting Chance in San Bernardino Thursday July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A pair of boxers square off in the ring Thursday at Project Fighting Chance in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Boxer Terry Washington, 14 from San Bernardino, takes a drink during his one minute break in between sparring rounds Thursday in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Boxer Terry Washington, 14 from San Bernardino, takes a drink during his one minute break in between sparring rounds Thursday in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Recent Junior Olympics boxing silver medalist Ruffin Harris, 11, works on the speed bag Thursday at Project Fighting Chance in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Boxer Paolo Barredo, (left), 11, from Riverside, lands a left on sparring partners Terry Washington (right), 14, jaw Thursday at Project Fighting Chance in San Bernardino July 12, 2018. Project Fighting Chance, run by Ian Franklin, a nonprofit for area youth, and its renowned F.I.G.H.T.S. program were the subjects of a documentary series by KVCRTV that’s scheduled to premiere in September. Cameras followed three boxers as they trained for and boxed in national tournaments. Currently, the San Bernardino program has five kids ranked nationally in their weight classes. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

“We wanted to show the social and economic value a program like this can bring to the community,” KVCR TV/FM General Manager Keith Birkfeld said by phone this week. “These kids are a powerful representation of that.”

“Hopefuls,” a four-part Empire Network PBS docu-series, is to debut at 8 p.m. Sept. 27 on the Empire Network.

Viewers will follow three star Project Fighting Chance boxers as they prepare for and compete in USA Boxing’s Western Elite Qualifier and Regional Open Championships, held this past March in Albuquerque, N.M. Franklin, Project Fighting Chance board members and San Bernardino leaders lend their voices to the influence such a program can have on a downtrodden region.

“It has to be a conscious effort,” treasurer La Quetta Bush-Simmons says through tears in a trailer, “that says block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, city by city, that everybody there is worth saving.”

Terry Washington, known locally and in boxing gyms around the country as “Terrible” Terry, is perhaps the greatest example of Project Fighting Chance’s mission statement.

Several years ago, the boy was hanging out on Del Rosa Avenue, if not asking for trouble, then flirting with it.

Franklin, who founded Project Fighting Chance in 1999 to provide a variety of after-school athletic programs for boys and girls, approached Terry one day and asked if he could box.

“I was a lost person,” Terry, 14, said. “My friends and I were running the streets, and when we came (to Project Fighting Chance), I was the only one who stayed on. Now I’m winning national titles and being the greatest.”

KVCR cameras followed Terry, who has a personality made for television, “Killa” Kenny Lobatoz and Charles “LoLo” Harris as they trained inside Project Fighting Chance’s Westside gym.

On any given day, the converted Department of Neighborly Services classroom has two to three dozen boys and girls either learning boxing fundamentals or burnishing footwork and combinations. And while the nationally-recognized F.I.G.H.T.S. (Faith In God Heals Troubled Souls) boxing program attracts the most attention, Franklin and his fellow coaches aren’t just producing world-class boxers.

“A lot of these kids have experienced some childhood trauma, some violence at home,” said Terry Boykins, Project Fighting Chance vice president. “Here, we’re able to address those issues and talk about what kind of resilience and resources are needed to deal with those things.

“We use the classroom for therapy and the gym as an outlet to talk about anger,” Boykins continued. “If we can get kids to fight demons in here, they can be successful out there.”

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Funded by donations and sponsorships, Project Fighting Chance currently has five nationally-ranked boxers, according to USABoxing.org – the three in the docu-series and Charles Harris’ younger brothers Isiah, 12, and Ruffin, 11.

Additionally, Rayshaun “Nino” Thomas, a San Bernardino native who credits Project Fighting Chance for keeping him out of trouble, is ready to turn pro at 22.

The younger Harris boys, of Rialto, won silver medals in their weight classes in June at the Junior Olympics in West Virginia.

As for how the protagonists of “Hopefuls” fared in March, tune in later this year to find out.

“The good Lord has his hand on this program,” Franklin said. “He has to, because this is hard to do.”

Brian Whitehead covers San Bernardino for The Sun. Bred in Grand Terrace, he graduated from Riverside Notre Dame High and Cal State Fullerton. For seven years, he covered high school and college sports for The Orange County Register. Before landing at The Sun, he was the city beat reporter for Buena Park, Fullerton and La Palma.